February 28, 2008 (a farmer’s scrapbook)

I started a scrapbook recently using old glue stick and dull scissors. I attacked a box of faded, wrinkled clippings and the like, and in absolutely no order, cut, glued, and stuck stuff in the book. I’ve had visions of doing the fancy scrapbooking thing, cutting decorator paper and arranging the pages chronologically. But, I knew it would never happen. I attacked the task like I eat cake.

I came upon the following; the very last column I wrote for the Altamont Enterprise. Reading it again felt like looking at baby pictures of my daughter. (The column is about the Big Barn.)

Once Upon A Farm

By Teri Conroy

February 28, 2008

The lower barn.

There are three medium size boxes sitting on my porch. They were delivered this past week by UPS, and each has an orange sticker that reads “Heavy Package”. I don’t know why I haven’t moved them from the porch, really. Except that they aren’t for the house, and well, they’re heavy. More about them in a moment.

I’ve been doing some planning. You know the kind of long term plans you make for an upcoming wedding or birth? I remember the fun I had decorating my daughter’s room when I was pregnant. I put so much thought into it, and it was on my mind daily. It was scary, too, in a way, preparing for something yet to happen.

Well, I’ve been planning a new barn for this farm! I love our barn, it’s sweet, and parts of it are really old – which is wonderful because old barns are my absolute favorite. But, it’s getting small. No, it’s not getting small. The farm is growing, as farms do sometimes.

I’ve not grown tired of the farming life at all, despite how it consumes me physically, mentally, and emotionally – the good and all the rest. I cherish it more than ever, and especially with the love for llamas, a larger barn is in order.

Of course, if I could, I would move a grand, centuries-old barn here. Wood ingrained with old smells and secrets, floors worn smooth, and doors a little askew from time. I will keep those thoughts in my wishes and dreams box.

Husband and I have been thinking about adding another barn for a couple of years now. And the time has come. Fortunately, I was able to modify a set of plans I found.

It was exciting to revise them into plans of a barn that will fit my needs. The engineer stamped the plans and the building permit is on the kitchen counter.

Now the hard part – waiting for spring thaw. Even as the snow falls today, I only need to look at the new driveway that leads to nothing and use my imagination. I haven’t had this much fun planning since, first, my wedding, and then our daughter. It’s quite a process, and there is a lot involved.

I have many books about old barns (and a few about new barns) to keep me semi-satiated while I wait. My favorite gifts each Christmas and birthday are the books about barns from my husband; they’ve become a tradition. I’m surprised he can still find any that I don’t have.

Oh, the boxes! The boxes on my porch are sort of like buying pots and pans before the wedding. The boxes contain antique reproduction hinges; spoon hinges, to be exact. If I can’t move an old barn here, I can embellish one that gives me some semblance of history; even if it is pretend.

Buying hinges before the building the barn may seem foolish, but they were actually on clearance and it was worthwhile to order them. And like gifts of little outfits from a baby shower, I can touch and hold these hinges and dream of what is to come.

I am having a really good time with this. And no, of course it is not the same as my marriage or the birth of our daughter. But still, it is a dream filled with anticipation and excitement for the future growth of our farm.